HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system - Mandriva

This is a discussion on HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system - Mandriva ; OK, my win xp system is all screwed up.
Spy ware has my xp system a mess. Since I need xp to use
programs for work I would like to format the xp partition
then reinstall xp on the same ...

HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

OK, my win xp system is all screwed up.
Spy ware has my xp system a mess. Since I need xp to use
programs for work I would like to format the xp partition
then reinstall xp on the same drive with my Mandriva system - of course different
partitions.
I think this will blow out my MBR and I wont be able to boot my Mandriva system
once I do the reinstall.
I have tried to create a boot disk with no luck using mkbootdisk - command not
recognized.

I do have Disk one for Mandriva and also have Knoppix on a CD and a Linux rescue CD.

I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to my mandriva system.
And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot either system again in a dual boot
configuration.

I'm no expert so please be specific as possible, thanks.

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

Tony_Jaa wrote:
> OK, my win xp system is all screwed up.
> Spy ware has my xp system a mess. Since I need xp to use
> programs for work I would like to format the xp partition
> then reinstall xp on the same drive with my Mandriva system - of course different
> partitions.

If you need it for work, and your "no expert", why don't you get
the expert at your work to do it, someone probably gets paid to
do this for you.
> I think this will blow out my MBR and I wont be able to boot my Mandriva system
> once I do the reinstall.

That's what I'm lead to believe, can't say for sure as I've never
installed or used Windows XP.

I assume you have searched or asked Microsoft for a solution to
your problem, considering it would appear your concerned about
what the XP install will or will not do.
> I have tried to create a boot disk with no luck using mkbootdisk - command not
> recognized.

I suppose that was "command not found", can't ask for a more descriptive
or accurate message than that.

Perhaps you might like to install the "mkbootdisk" package, but it's
up to you.
>
> I do have Disk one for Mandriva and also have Knoppix on a CD and a Linux rescue CD.

If you boot "rescue" mode from the Mandriva CD, what options does it give you ?
>
> I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to my mandriva system.
> And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot either system again in a dual boot
> configuration.
>
> I'm no expert so please be specific as possible, thanks.

Are you using "lilo" or "grub" as your boot loader ?
If you don't know, does either of these files exist
on your system :
/etc/lilo.conf
/boot/grub/menu.lst

I'm left wondering why your asking about "HELP Reinstalling win xp"
in a news group that caters for Mandriva Linux, but what would I know.

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

Tony_Jaa wrote:

>
> I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to my
> mandriva system. And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot
> either system again in a dual boot configuration.
>

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

On Wed, 09 May 2007 21:29:07 -1000, Tony_Jaa wrote:

First thing would be to set knode line length to 76 character in
length. That allows room for reply indicators before the line starts
wrapping.
> I would like to format the xp partition
> then reinstall xp on the same drive with my Mandriva system

As long as you will be using the same doze partition, then it should not hurt.
> I think this will blow out my MBR and I wont be able to boot my
> Mandriva system once I do the reinstall.

Yep, you have that part down pat. Say, what would happen if your disk
died as you read this message.
> I have tried to create a boot disk with no luck using mkbootdisk -
> command not recognized and I wont be able to boot my
> Mandriva system once I do the reinstall.

I create a backup diskette for lilo with the command
lilo -b /dev/fd0
then test to verify it boots the system.

I think it is possible to make a grub boot diskette.
> I do have Disk one for Mandriva and also have Knoppix on a CD and a
>Linux rescue CD.

Hey, you might want to boot the Mandriva cd and check out the rescue
mode options. Then again, you did not provide version of Mandriva so
YMMV.
> I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to
>my mandriva system.

If you do not set line wrap at 76 chars, some people will not bother
to reply because of the work to reformat your post to conform to the
the standard Usenet rules/guides,....http://livinginternet.com/u/ua.htmhttp://tgos.org/newbie/rules.html
> And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot either system
> again in a dual boot configuration.
> I'm no expert so please be specific as possible, thanks.

Yet, you have been as vague as possible as to which which boot loader
you want to use.

If worst came to worst, I know I can get lilo installed by booting any
live/rescue cd, getting to a root prompt, and

mkdir /junk
mount -t auto /dev/ZdYZ /junk
chroot /junk
lilo -v
exit

Of course you will have to solve for Z (h,d) Y (a,b,c,,,) Z (1, 2, 3,,,,,,)

Now if you are using grub, then
man -k grub
may get you started with grub boot loader, and as always,
do bookmark this very large, Frequently Asked Questions (faq) search engine

Oops, that should read
Of course you will have to solve for Z (h,s) Y (a,b,c,,,) Z (1, 2, 3,,,,,,)

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

> Are you using "lilo" or "grub" as your boot loader ?
> If you don't know, does either of these files exist
> on your system :
> /etc/lilo.conf
> /boot/grub/menu.lst
===================================
I tried the latter as root :

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

On Wed, 09 May 2007 21:29:07 -1000, Tony_Jaa wrote:
> OK, my win xp system is all screwed up.
> Spy ware has my xp system a mess. Since I need xp to use
> programs for work I would like to format the xp partition
> then reinstall xp on the same drive with my Mandriva system - of course different
> partitions.
> I think this will blow out my MBR and I wont be able to boot my Mandriva system
> once I do the reinstall.
> I have tried to create a boot disk with no luck using mkbootdisk - command not
> recognized.
>
> I do have Disk one for Mandriva and also have Knoppix on a CD and a Linux rescue CD.
>
> I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to my mandriva system.
> And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot either system again in a dual boot
> configuration.
>
> I'm no expert so please be specific as possible, thanks.

Easiest way: use 'dd' to save a copy of the MBR; do the MS install; boot a
Live CD and restore the MBR from the copy, using 'dd' again.

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

> You asked your bash shell to execute /boot/grub/menu.lst and the file
> permissions caused the error. You should not blindly exexute commands
> unless you know what would happen.
>
> The poster said if the file exists, so you could do a
> cat /boot/grub/menu.lst
> or better yet less /boot/grub/menu.lst
> to see file contents.
>
> For extra points, in your spare time, you might want to read
> http://tldp.org/LDP/abs/html/index.html
=========================
B.T. ,Tnx for the above advice

Frank

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

Bit Twister wrote:
> On Wed, 09 May 2007 21:29:07 -1000, Tony_Jaa wrote:
>
> First thing would be to set knode line length to 76 character in
> length. That allows room for reply indicators before the line starts
> wrapping.

ok
>
>> I would like to format the xp partition
>> then reinstall xp on the same drive with my Mandriva system
>
> As long as you will be using the same doze partition, then it should not
hurt.

right
>
>> I think this will blow out my MBR and I wont be able to boot my
>> Mandriva system once I do the reinstall.
>
> Yep, you have that part down pat. Say, what would happen if your disk
> died as you read this message.

whats that got to do with the assistance I asked for?
>
>> I have tried to create a boot disk with no luck using mkbootdisk -
>> command not recognized and I wont be able to boot my
>> Mandriva system once I do the reinstall.
>
> Since you did not provide which linux boot loader you are using,

forgot - LILO

you
> might want to read http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
> to improve your usenet experience.
> I create a backup diskette for lilo with the command
> lilo -b /dev/fd0
> then test to verify it boots the system.
>
> I think it is possible to make a grub boot diskette.
>
>> I do have Disk one for Mandriva and also have Knoppix on a CD and a
>>Linux rescue CD.
>
> Hey, you might want to boot the Mandriva cd and check out the rescue
> mode options. Then again, you did not provide version of Mandriva so
> YMMV.

whatever version 2007 is
>
>> I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to
>>my mandriva system.
>
> If you do not set line wrap at 76 chars, some people will not bother
> to reply because of the work to reformat your post to conform to the
> the standard Usenet rules/guides,....
> http://livinginternet.com/u/ua.htm
> http://tgos.org/newbie/rules.html
>
>> And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot either system
>> again in a dual boot configuration.
>> I'm no expert so please be specific as possible, thanks.
>
> Yet, you have been as vague as possible as to which which boot loader
> you want to use.

LILO
>
>
> If worst came to worst, I know I can get lilo installed by booting any
> live/rescue cd, getting to a root prompt, and
>
> mkdir /junk
> mount -t auto /dev/ZdYZ /junk
> chroot /junk
> lilo -v
> exit
>
>
> Of course you will have to solve for Z (h,d) Y (a,b,c,,,) Z (1, 2,
3,,,,,,)
>
> Now if you are using grub, then
> man -k grub
> may get you started with grub boot loader, and as always,
> do bookmark this very large, Frequently Asked Questions (faq) search
engine
>
> http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search
> key words(s) in the first box
> *linux* in Newsgroup box. You need to use the two
> asterisks around linux, pick English

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

James Kerr wrote:
> Tony_Jaa wrote:
>
>
>>
>> I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to my
>> mandriva system. And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot
>> either system again in a dual boot configuration.
>>
>
> See:
>
> http://club.mandriva.com/xwiki/bin/view/KB/AdminArecov
>
> Scroll down to the Section headed "The Mandrakelinux Rescue System"
>
> Jim

many thanks

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

foo wrote:
> Tony_Jaa wrote:
>> OK, my win xp system is all screwed up.
>> Spy ware has my xp system a mess. Since I need xp to use
>> programs for work I would like to format the xp partition
>> then reinstall xp on the same drive with my Mandriva system - of course
different
>> partitions.
>
> If you need it for work,

I do work at home sometimes on my home computer
> and your "no expert", why don't you get
> the expert at your work to do it, someone probably gets paid to
> do this for you.

the idiot at work has no clue how to do anything with Linux
>
>> I think this will blow out my MBR and I wont be able to boot my Mandriva
system
>> once I do the reinstall.
>
> That's what I'm lead to believe, can't say for sure as I've never
> installed or used Windows XP.
>
> I assume you have searched or asked Microsoft for a solution to
> your problem, considering it would appear your concerned about
> what the XP install will or will not do.
>
>> I have tried to create a boot disk with no luck using mkbootdisk -
command not
>> recognized.
>
> I suppose that was "command not found", can't ask for a more descriptive
> or accurate message than that.
>
> Perhaps you might like to install the "mkbootdisk" package, but it's
> up to you.

did'nt know it was a package - thanks!
>
>>
>> I do have Disk one for Mandriva and also have Knoppix on a CD and a Linux
rescue CD.
>
> If you boot "rescue" mode from the Mandriva CD, what options does it give
you ?

I need to look - again thanks
>
>>
>> I could really use some assistance in making sure I can get back to my
mandriva system.
>> And would like to install a boot loader so I can boot either system again
in a dual boot
>> configuration.
>>
>> I'm no expert so please be specific as possible, thanks.
>
> Are you using "lilo" or "grub" as your boot loader ?

LILO
> If you don't know, does either of these files exist
> on your system :
> /etc/lilo.conf
> /boot/grub/menu.lst
>
> I'm left wondering why your asking about "HELP Reinstalling win xp"
> in a news group that caters for Mandriva Linux, but what would I know.

cause once I blow out XP then reload it the MBR will go away and I will need
to figure out a way to boot my linux system so the real question is exactly
that.

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

Tony_Jaa wrote:
> whats that got to do with the assistance I asked for?

Don't cop an attitude towards Bit Twister. Bit Twister is a
treasure. I'd rather see you FOAD than see Bit Twister dimininished
by the likes of you.

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

On Thu, 10 May 2007 18:45:47 -1000, Tony_Jaa wrote:
> Bit Twister wrote:
>>
>> Yep, you have that part down pat. Say, what would happen if your disk
>> died as you read this message.
>
> whats that got to do with the assistance I asked for?

It was a hint that you need to have
o a backup procedure,
o a backup of your system,
o known good backup media contents,
o a tested restore procedure.

The restore procedure would have to include how to restore linux,
linux bootloader and not wipe out XP.
> forgot - LILO

That would make grub/menu.lst useless for you.

Then the mkdir, mount, chroot, lilo commands will do the job, provided
you can figure out the XYZ values if you do/can not use the diskette method.

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

Scott B. wrote:
> Tony_Jaa wrote:
>> whats that got to do with the assistance I asked for?
>
> Don't cop an attitude towards Bit Twister. Bit Twister is a
> treasure. I'd rather see you FOAD than see Bit Twister dimininished
> by the likes of you.
>
> http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search

it was an honest question...........sheeeesh!

Re: HELP Reinstalling win xp on my Mandriva dual boot system

Tony_Jaa wrote:
> Scott B. wrote:
>
>
>>Tony_Jaa wrote:
>>
>>>whats that got to do with the assistance I asked for?
>>
>>Don't cop an attitude towards Bit Twister. Bit Twister is a
>>treasure. I'd rather see you FOAD than see Bit Twister dimininished
>>by the likes of you.
>>
>>http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search
>
>
> it was an honest question...........sheeeesh!

and Bit Twister took it as such, and gave an answer that should be
useful to me as well...

Think it's important when using usenet to realise that it's a
narrow-bandwidth medium; "tricks" as tone of voice, or body language,
get filtered out. So misunderstandings happen. Don't get discouraged by
flames on your questions: if possible, learn to avoid flames by posting
better questions instead. That's what people thehttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html link was about. Or
try hugging the flamer, that sometimes works.